CD - upgrade, replace used, buy new?

Hi,

Having owned the Pioneer PD-93 myself I can tell you that it will still hold its own against the typical $1500 recommendations. The Pioneer is probably the best 20 bit cd player ever developed by a Japanese manufacturer. When I sold mine, the new owner was absolutely floored by how great it sounded (not to mention its unbelievable build quality). He had owned a couple of the typical sub $1500 recommended cd players, and told me that the Pioneer was much better.

In order to trounce the Pioneer sonically, you may need to consider a 24 bit dac and transport. My thoughts are why not give the Awia/MSB Stan Warren modified combo a try? I've heard it displace many digital rigs that cost over $5000 , yet it is less than $1100 complete. Just last week we compared it to three high end DVD-A and one SACD player that all cost over $3000, yet it was no contest. The Awia/MSB combo won hands down again. I have yet to hear anything under $2500 that even compares to this combo.

I haven't used the PD-93, but I own the DV-09 which supposedly retailed at around $2,200. I found the CD playback adequate. I then upgraded to MSB Link Dac III for CD playback and found improvement but nothing to write home about. Then I got a YBA CD1 and CD playback is unambigbously superior. Were I to take a DAC route, I think the best bang for your buck would be the EVS Millenium II DAC at about $1k. I think it would trounce any other DAC at the price, and this DAC is so hot now that were you not happy with it you could sell it for practically what you bought it for. Good luck,
John.

Totally self-serving, of course, but you might want to check out my Audiogon listing for a Musical Concepts-modified Pioneer DV-4l4. As noted, it blew away my then-player, a CJ tubed DAC and transport combo (cost me $3600). I've been running it through CJ Premier l4 and Premier l2s, so it's no lightweight, sonically. Cheers, Dave

The DAC chip in your CD player PCM63 is one of the finest DAC chips ever produced. It is 20bit but will hold its own against 24bit chips. You could always talk to Stan Warren about your player; whether is it worth upgrading. He is always helpful. Stan will not sell you anything; just give you his unbiased opinion.

Couple of comments on what's above.
The Aiwa XC37M cd changer is discontinued. You may be able to find some closeouts somewhere. You should also check with Stan Warren to make sure he is still modifying them.
It is a very good cd transport for its low cost, but must be modified by Stan Warren to reach its full potential. It is a bit more refined than a Cal Delta (I have owned a Delta and currently own the modified Aiwa).
I would think you would have to get the MSB modified and pair it with a modified Aiwa to achieve the magic mentioned above. I have tried a stock MSB Link I (with no upgrades) and found it to be light in the bass and lean in the midrange compared to a Micromega Duo BS2.